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Looking for recommendations for online EDM mastering services that will master a single track for under $40. Ive looked at so many different sites, but they all seems so similar. It's hard to tell when you look at so many different service options. Just though id ask for some personal recommendations as I plan to get my first Electro track mastered next week. Thanks.

http://www.dubstepforum.com/viewtopic.p ... &p=2517018

here's a link to some of his work: http://soundcloud.com/blakecitro
the song 'NeuroScience' is mine.

Don't know if he's still doing stuff for free, but its worth a try.

Also I have a question about prepping a track. When I am told to leave headroom does this mean I need to remove the master limiter and lower the master volume?

What your asking is sort of touched on in this thread: http://www.dubstepforum.com/this-thread ... 74832.html
Some like to mix to 0db then lower the master fader down. Others like to mix to -3db, -5db, etc. Either case gives you headroom, but I'd suggest trying to mix to a lower db so then the mastering technicians can work their magic.

daftendirekt wrote:Also I have a question about prepping a track. When I am told to leave headroom does this mean I need to remove the master limiter and lower the master volume?

oh yes

daftendirekt wrote:Also I have a question about prepping a track. When I am told to leave headroom does this mean I need to remove the master limiter and lower the master volume?

it means to make sure you have a good amount of decibels for the mastering engineer to work with so you definitely need to remove that limiter and don't just lower the master volume that might not get the results you/ME is looking for. make sure your track is properly mixed

daftendirekt wrote:Also I have a question about prepping a track. When I am told to leave headroom does this mean I need to remove the master limiter and lower the master volume?

That's right!

Also remember no processing on the master bus (Compression, eq etc)
Try to bounce out as high a quality as possible (Unless stated otherwise on ME's reuirement specs)
And no dithering!

anyone have any good links or threads about dithering? I always just pick "triangular", and have no clue which one to pick in ozone when mastering.

daftendirekt wrote:Also I have a question about prepping a track. When I am told to leave headroom does this mean I need to remove the master limiter and lower the master volume?

Removing the limiter is mandatory to allow mastering. But you should also remove the compressor on the master section if any. Mastering engineer are always happy with clean, unclipped, audio with a large dynamic range. As a general rule, leave your master section clean from any amateur processing before mastering.

RandoRando wrote:anyone have any good links or threads about dithering? I always just pick "triangular", and have no clue which one to pick in ozone when mastering.

I read somewhere, maybe it was wikipedia, that using POW r-2 is best for overall genres. I'm not sure what rectangular or triangular do.

I have another headroom question. I am prepping the track to be mastered and the service I chose asks for -3db headroom. Does this mean to remove 3db from the normal level? Or does it mean to bring it down to the point that the loudest point in the track is at -3db?

daftendirekt wrote:I have another headroom question. I am prepping the track to be mastered and the service I chose asks for -3db headroom. Does this mean to remove 3db from the normal level? Or does it mean to bring it down to the point that the loudest point in the track is at -3db?

bring it down to the point that the loudest point in the track is at -3db

I am sure that Mastering Engineer will gladly answer your all questions,
if you have any doubts, technical issues, etc - simply ask mastering guy and she/he will be able to help you,
I can tell myself - for me it doesn't matter where peaks are, if they are below -0.5dB FS - that's ok,
most important is to understand that any DAW's VU meter is not 100% precise and if you mix/produce very hot - close to 0dB FS-
then it is very possible you are clipping D/A stage, not even being aware of it.
General idea would be to stick to -12 up to -6dB peaks (if you work 24 bits, and if you don't work - you should:)
don't worry about loudness too much, focus on music first;

good luck with your project

RandoRando wrote:anyone have any good links or threads about dithering? I always just pick "triangular", and have no clue which one to pick in ozone when mastering.

this is kinda late and you may have already figured it out by now but - http://izotope.fileburst.com/guides/Dit ... _Ozone.pdf

also, nobody really answered the op...

transition mastering:
CD/Download Mastering £90.00 per hour
(Charged in ¼ hour increments)

mastering one track takes about 15-20 minutes (i'm refering here to dubplate mastering, i guess it's not much different with digital mastering)

get in touch with info@transition-studios.co.uk for further information.

vulvavibration wrote: (i'm refering here to dubplate mastering, i guess it's not much different with digital mastering)

the process will have some added considerations, (i cant speak for transition's process though) but it will be optimized for a different (and physical) format, more thought given to the stereo field for the format, low end levels and excess sibilance (the cut can change dramatically as the groove 'diameter' reduces in size i.e. distortion on the tops nearer the end of the tune) among other things. (such as ensuring that some producers tune doesn't make the cutter head go mental)

Lots of answers to very common questions right here:

Mastering FAQ

(I am cool with a compressor on your master bus so long as you are not digging too deep, i.e. a couple of dB of gain reduction. If it is part of your mix, it's part of your mix, not my job to say otherwise)

cheers

SafeandSound Mastering
http://www.masteringmastering.co.uk/

Some mastering engineers, including myself, will offer either a free full track or snippit of a track as a demo for your first track, I would suggest finding a few of these folks and sending them all the same material and seeing what comes back best

vulvavibration wrote:transition mastering:
CD/Download Mastering £90.00 per hour
(Charged in ¼ hour increments)

mastering one track takes about 15-20 minutes (i'm refering here to dubplate mastering, i guess it's not much different with digital mastering)

get in touch with info@transition-studios.co.uk for further information.

they charge £100 per hour now
(Charged in ¼ hour increments)

Hi Guys,

Further to what's already been said in the thread, I think there are a number of things to take into consideration when deciding on the best online mastering service.

While price is an obvious one you also need to think about:
-Quantity to be mastered - Single - EP?
-The Genre of your song as not all engineers could master several genres
-The style of mastering you are after
-The purpose of mastering - competition / demo / personal etc.

We believe communication between the artist and engineer is extremely important and comes close to replacing the need for an attended session. We cover all these points and more in this article: http://phatmastering.com/best-online-mastering/

Feel free to get in touch.